Now’s the time: How businesses can start preparing to stay warm, save cash and cut carbon this winter

As the days get shorter and the temperatures start to drop, many businesses are wondering if it is time to reach for the thermostat. Whether you have a shop, office, warehouse or hospitality venue, turning the heating on comes with one question: how much are my bills going to increase? 

With energy bills remaining one of the main overheads for many businesses, now is the time to review how your energy is being used and identify opportunities to save. That’s why we have pulled together some helpful tips to reduce your energy consumption overall to help with the extra costs this winter. 

VAT changes that can help you save from 1^st October 2026 

If your business already qualifies for the reduced 5% VAT rate, VAT on electricity is 0% during the Government's temporary zero-rate period (1 October 2026 to 31 March 2027). Small business customers paying 20% standard VAT are unaffected. 

Understand where your business uses energy

Understanding where your business uses energy is the first step towards reducing costs. That's why we've created a free downloadable Energy Audit to help you identify opportunities to improve efficiency and cut your energy bills.

 5 simple ways to cut your heating costs 

1. Check your heating controls – Heating empty spaces wastes money. Use timers to make sure the property is only getting heated when being used. Even small adjustments can made a different throughout the winter months.
2. Stop heat escaping – Before turning the thermostat up, look for places heat may be escaping. Shut windows that may have been left open, use door and window draught excluders. Keeping warm air in means your heating system doesn’t have to work as hard.
3. Get your boiler serviced annually – If your business uses a gas boiler, having it serviced each year by a Gas Safe registered engineer can help ensure it's operating safely and efficiently. A well-maintained heating system is more likely to perform effectively when the temperatures start to drop.
4. Improve insulation - Insulating roofs, walls, pipes, and hot water tanks helps retain heat for longer, reducing the energy needed to keep your premises warm.
5. Encourage energy-saving habits – Remind employees to keep windows and doors shut when the heating is on, report draughts and only heat rooms when occupied. These small behavioral changes can add up to significant savings.

What are other small businesses doing to save energy?

Looking for more inspiration? Earlier this year, we spoke to small business customers and asked them to share their top tips for improving energy efficiency and reducing costs.

Is your energy tariff still right for your business?

Checking your energy tariff is another great way to save money. Most small business customers continue to have an energy tariff that no longer suits their needs, meaning that they could be paying more than necessary for their energy bills. 

If you're looking for more certainty over your costs, fixing your energy prices on a longer-term tariff can also help. A fixed tariff gives you greater visibility of your energy costs, making it easier to budget and plan ahead without worrying about changes in wholesale energy prices.

Get a 60 second quote to see if you could save money. 

Looking for advice tailored to your business?

Each business used energy differently. What works for an office may not be the best approach for a shop, warehouse or hospitality venue.

That’s why we have created industry-specific energy saving guides in our advice hub. Whether you’re looking for practical ways to reduce costs or improve efficiency, you’ll find tailored tips relevant to your sector.

Explore our advice hub.

The less energy your business uses, the lower your energy bills can be and the less carbon your business produces, making energy efficiency a win for both your bottom line and the environment.